ICAC to hold public inquiry into allegations concerning University of Sydney and contract security services providers

Friday 25 January 2019

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry starting on Monday 11 February as part of an investigation it is conducting into allegations concerning the University of Sydney, its contracted security services provider Sydney Night Patrol & Inquiry Co Pty Ltd (SNP Security) and SNP Security’s subcontractor, S International Group Pty Ltd (SIG) (Operation Gerda).

The Commission is investigating whether, since January 2009, SNP Security and/or SIG staff have dishonestly obtained a financial benefit from the University by creating false entries on daily time sheets and submitting these for payment to the University.

The ICAC is also investigating whether any University of Sydney employee dishonestly obtained a financial benefit from, or acted partially in, exercising their public official functions for the benefit of SNP Security and/or SIG and/or any of their employees.

The Commission is also examining whether SNP Security, SIG and/or any of their employees engaged in conduct that, or could have, adversely affected the exercise of official functions by the University and/or any of its employees, and which could have involved bribery and/or fraud.

Further, the ICAC is examining whether any employee of the University, SNP Security and/or SIG engaged in conduct that impaired, or could impair, public confidence in public administration because it involved dishonestly obtaining, assisting in obtaining or dishonestly benefiting from, the payment or application of public funds for private advantage.

The public inquiry will start at 10:00 am and will be held in the Commission's hearing room on Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. The inquiry is set down for up to four weeks.

Commissioner Stephen Rushton SC will preside at the public inquiry, and Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Mr Phillip English.

The Commission intends to live stream the proceedings in this public inquiry via the ICAC website. Further details about how to access the live stream will be provided closer to the inquiry commencement date.


Media contact: ICAC Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, 02 8281 5799 / 0417 467 801